Apparatus for handling and drying pencil leads

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for handling and drying pencil leads comprising means for receiving the leads after extrusion and cutting thereof but while the leads are still moisture laden and hence limp and easily deformable, said means maintaining the leads in straightened condition while loading the leads into cylindrical cans, the loaded cans being rotatable about their own axes to maintain the leads therein in straightened condition, the apparatus further comprising a rotary furnace for receiving the loaded cylindrical cans to effect drying of the leads, said rotary furnace comprising a rotor that slowly moves the loaded cans through an annular heating chamber, the loaded cans being mounted on discs which are rotatably mounted on the rotor, and drive means for simultaneously imparting rotation to the rotor and to the discs, the rotation of the latter being at a substantially greater rate than the rotation of the former, whereby as the rotor slowly carries the loaded cans through the heating chamber, the discs are simultaneously rotating about their own axes.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Verlon E. Wiser Shelbyville: CharlesW. McCallie. Bell Buckle, both of, Tenn. [21] Appl. No. 879,381 [22]Filed Nov.24 1969 [45] Patented June 22,1971 [73] Assignee HasbroIndustries, Inc.

Pawtucket, RJ.

[54] APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DRYING I PENCIL LEADS 8 Claims. 13Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 263/6 R, 214/18, 263/7 [51] lnt.Cl F271) 9/16, F27d 3/12[50] Field olSearch 263/6, 7, 8; 214/18 [56] References Cited UNlTEDSTATES PATENTS 1,491,169 4/1924 Root 263/6 1,630,784 5/1927 Coe PrimaryExaminerCharles .l. Myhre Att0rney-Salter & Michaelson ABSTRACT:Apparatus for handling and drying pencil leads comprising means forreceiving the leads after extrusion and .cutting thereof but while theleads are still moisture laden and hence limp and easily deformable,said means maintaining the leads in straightened condition while loadingthe leads into cylindrical cans, the loaded cans being rotatable abouttheir own axes to maintain the leads therein in straightened condition,the apparatus further comprising a rotary furnace for receiving theloaded cylindrical cans to effect drying of the leads, said rotaryfurnace comprising a rotor that slowly moves the loaded cans through anannular heating chamber, the loaded cans being mounted on discs whichare rotatably mounted on the rotor, and drive means for simultaneouslyimparting rotation to the rotor and to the discs, the rotation of thelatter being at a substantially greater rate than the rotation of theformer, whereby as the rotor slowly carries the loaded cans through theheating chamber, the discs are simultaneously rotating about their ownaxes.

PATENTEflJuuzms'n 3586298 sum 1 OF 6 0 II R INVENTORS VERLON E. WISERBYCHARLES w. McCALLlE 5' F W ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUNZZIQYI $586,298

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INVENTOR VERLON E. WISER CHARLES W. MCCALLIE U/4M1 f mm [:3 ATTORNEYSPATENTEI] JUN22 |97| SHEET 3 0F 6 FIG.3

INVENTORS VERLON E. WISER CHARLES FIG.4

MC CALLIE avg/ ATTORNEYS PATENTEU JUN22 1971 SHEET 5 OF 6 INVENTORSVERLON E. WISER CHARLES w. McCALLlE ybil" WM ATTORNEYS PATENTEU JUN22|9n SHEET 6 OF 6 INVENTORS VERLON E. WISER CHARLES W. MCQALLIE W MATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR IIANDLINGAND DRYING PENCIL LEADS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION In the manufacture of pencil leads, the lead is firstextruded and then cut to length. At this stage in the manufacturingprocess, the lead is limp and easily deformable and possesses a highmoisture content. The problem is to maintain the lead in substantiallystraight and unbroken form and at the same time remove substantially allof the moisture therefrom, so that the lead will be in proper conditionfor the firing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention provides apparatus forovercoming the above mentioned problem. Generally speaking, the presentinvention comprises a combination of handling means and drying means.

The handling means comprises apparatus that receives the limp leads and,while maintaining them in substantially straight and unbroken condition,feeds the leads to a loading cup, which in turn transfers the leads to acylindrical heating can. Means are provided for causing the loadedheating cans to rotate about their own axis prior to introduction of theloaded cans to the drying apparatus.

The drying apparatus comprises a rotary furnace having a rotor, theperipheral portion of which is enclosed by an annular heating chamber.Rotatably mounted on the rotor, adjacent the periphery thereof, are aplurality of discs, each of which has means for receiving aplurality ofloaded heating cans. The axes of the rotor, the discs, and of the leadsper se are all substantially parallel to each other, and drive means areprovided for simultaneously rotating the rotor and the discs, therotation of the latter being at a substantially greater rate than thatof the former. Thus, as the rotor slowly rotates through the heatingchamber, the discs carrying the loaded cans are simultaneously rotatingabout their own axes, which in turn causes the leads within the cans toconstantly rotate about their own axes during the drying or heatingoperation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the bestmode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of that portion of our apparatusrelating to the loading of the leads into the cylindrical heating cans;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, partly in section,showing a part of the loading apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view in section showing the loadingcup transferring leads to a heating can;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, showing the nextstep during the transfer of the leads from the loading cup to theheating can;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing themeans for rotating the loaded cans;

FIG, 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of the lead-handling and loadingapparatus;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rotary dryer that forms a part ofour apparatus;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view thereof on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view thereof, on an enlarged scale, with aportion broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIG, 11 is a fragmentary elevational view, on an enlarged scale, showingthe loading and unloading station of the dryer apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing one of the heating cans per se;and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective showing one of the disc assembliesin detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate the handlingand loading portion of our invention and specifically relate to theapparatus by which the extruded and cut leads are loaded intocylindrical cans within which the leads are subsequently heated anddried by a novel and unique rotary furnace which forms the second partof our invention. It will be understood that after the leads have beenextruded and cut, they have a high moisture content which must beremoved or at least substantially reduced before the leads can go to thefiring operation. Since the extruded lead is easily deformable, i.e.,having a consistency not unlike wet spaghetti, it is a considerableproblem to handle and load the leads while at the same time maintainingthem in substantially straight and unbroken condition. It is to thesolution of this problem that the first portion of our invention isdirected.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a table 10 has mounted thereon conveyormeans 12 comprising a plurality of side-by-side, spaced, endless belts14 extending around rollers 16 and 18 suitably journaled and mountedontable 10 by means of supports 20. Roller 18 is driven by motor 22 bymeans of a suitable chain drive, as shown most clearly in FIG. 1.

The leads 24, see FIG. 3, after having been extruded and cut and whilestill in a soft and deformable state, are positioned by any desiredmeans, manual or automatic, onto the end of conveyor 12 adjacent roller16, so that the leads lie transversely or laterally across the belts 14.The conveyor 12, which is continuously being driven by motor 22 in aclockwise direction, carries the leads toward the end of the conveyoradjacent roller 18; and, as the leads move therealong, they are engagedby a flap 26 carried by a bracket 28 suitably mountedon table 10, itbeing noted that the engagement of the leads by the flap 26 causes theleads to be oriented into a single layer, as shown in FIG. 3, andat thesame time causes the leads to extend substantially perpendicularlyacross the belts 14 while at the same time imparting some degree ofrotation to the leads about their own axes. The rotation of the leadsabout their own axes results in a self-straightening action that tendsto remove any deformation or bowing of the leads.

When the leads reach the end of conveyor 12 adjacent roller 18, they arereceived by inclined guide means 30 which, together with side plates 32,serve to direct the leads into a loading cup 34. Aswill be seen mostclearly in FIG. 3, the loading cup 34 is an open-ended cylinder, alsohaving an open portion 36 at the top portion of its circumference,through which the leads 24 pass from guide means 30.

Mounted to the table 10 by any suitable means are a pair of aircylinders 38 and 40 which are operable to impart reciprocal movement toholding fingers 42 and 44, respectively. As will be seen most clearly inFIGS. 1 and 3, the fingers 42 are located intermediate the rollers 16and 18, it being understood that when the fingers 42 are in theirdownward or operative position, as shown in FIG. 3, the fingers extendbetween the belts 14 to interrupt and block further movement of theleads 24 along conveyor 12. The fingers 44 cooperate with guides 30 andare adapted to move upwardly from the inoperative position shown in FIG.3 to an operative position wherein further flow of the leads 24 down theguides 30 is interrupted and blocked, it being understood that thefingers 44 extend upwardly between the guides 30. It will be understoodthat when fingers 44 are retracted to their inoperative position, thefingers 42 are in their downward or blocking position, and vice versa.Means are provided for timing the operation of cylinders 38 and 40, andhence fingers 42 and 44, so that when the loading cup 34 has been filledto substantially a predetermined extent, cylinder 40 will operate andmove fingers 44 to a blocking position, while at the same time cylinder38 will cause fingers 42 to be retracted to an inoperative position.

Adjacent to the table 10 is a second table 46, the table 46 carrying anarcuate support 48 on which the loading cup 34 is slidably mounted. Itwill be understood that the support 48 is in alignment with conveyor 12so that under normal conditions the loading cup 34 is in position toreceive the leads 24 as they descend from the guides 30. The table 46 isactually laterally disposed with respect to support 48, and the table 46carries an upper inclined trackway 50 adapted to receive a plurality ofcylindrical heating cans 52, shown in detail in H0. 12. The cans 52 areof suitable metallic construction, have a plurality of perforations 54in the sidewall thereof, and are open at only one end, as at 56. Thecans 52 are mounted on the trackway 50 so that the open ends 56 thereofare disposed toward the laterally positioned loading cup 34. The emptycans 52 descend by gravity down trackway 50 until the lowermost can isreceived at a loading station 58, which is in lateral alignment withloading cup 34, as shown most clearly in FIG. 1. It is important to notethat the diameter of the loading cup 34 is somewhat less than thediameter of the cans 52, whereupon the loading cup 34 may slidably moveinto the inside of the can 52, which is positioned at loading station58, by means now to be described.

As previously stated, the loading cup 34 is open at both ends, but theend farthest away from table 46 is normally closed by a circular plate60. An air cylinder 62 is connected to loading cup 34 by means of pistonrod 64 and connecting link 66, while another air cylinder 68 isconnected directly to plate 60. As will be seen most clearly in FIG. 2,connecting link 66 overlies the end of plate 60; whereupon when cylinder62 is operated to move the loading cup 34 into the can 52 located atstation 58, the plate 60 will move therewith, thus insuring that all ofthe leads positioned within cup 34 move laterally into the can 52located at the loading station. After the loaded cup 34 has been shiftedlaterally into the can 52 located at loading station 58, cylinder 62causes piston rod 64 to retract; while, at the same time, cylinder 68maintains the plate 60 in its position within the can 52. Thus, theplate 60 serves to hold the leads 24 within can 52 as the loading cup 34retracts, and hence, in effect, the cup 34 slides from beneath the leads24, the leads being held against movement by means of the plate 60.After the loading cup 34 has entirely retracted from can 52, cylinder 68then becomes operative to retract the plate 60, whereupon the can 52 inloading station 58 is now fully loaded, and the loading cup 34 and itsplate 60 are once again in position to receive another supply of leadsfrom conveyor 12. This particular means for transferring the leads fromloading cup 34 to can 52 has proven to be particularly advantageous inthat the relatively soft leads are very gently deposited in can 52, thusresulting in minimal breakage and deformation of the leads during thistransferring operation.

As soon as can 52 has been loaded, as above described, and the loadingcup 34 and its plate 60 retracted, a further air cylinder 70 actuates akicker 72 which ejects the loaded can 52 onto a conveyor 74 whichcomprises an endless belt extending around rollers 76 and 78, the roller76 being chain driven by motor 22 in a clockwise direction. At the endof conveyor 74, adjacent roller 78, there is provided a stop means inthe form of a laterally extending roller 80, whereupon the loaded can 52is carried by conveyor 74 until it engages the roller 80 and then ismaintained thereby, although the continuous movement of conveyor 74,cooperating with the roller 80, causes the loaded can 52 to continuouslyrotate about its own axis. This continued rotation of the loaded cans 52further serves to maintain the loaded leads 24 in substantially straightcondition. As soon as a loaded can 52 is ejected from the loadingstation 58 onto conveyor 74, another empty can 52 drops by gravity intothe loading station, whereupon the aforedescribed loading operation isonce again repeated.

It will be understood that the air cylinders all operate in apredetermined timed sequence, the operation of each cylinder beingcontrolled by solenoids 38A, 40A, 62A, 68A, and 70A, see FIG. 7, whichin turn are energized by switches 38B, 40B, 62B, 68B, and 70B,respectively, said switches in turn being actuated by cams 38C, 40C,62C, 68C, and 70C, respectively, the cams being sequentially mounted ona cam shaft (not shown) which is driven by motor 22. FIG. 7schematically illustrates the simple circuit involved, it beingunderstood that a conventional circuit breaker is shown at 82, arheostat for controlling the speed of motor 22 is shown at 84, and apressure switch is shown at 86, whereby if there is not suitablehydraulic pressure in the system, the circuit will automatically open tostop motor 22 and hence operation of the apparatus.

In summarizing the operation of the above-described handling and loadingapparatus, it will be understood that the extruded and cut leads 24 arepositioned by any suitable means on conveyor 12 and are carriedtherealong until blocked by holding fingers 42 which are controlled bycylinder 38. With the holding fingers 42 in blocking or operatlveposition, the holding fingers 44 are in their retracted or inoperativeposition, whereupon the leads 24 which have been carried by con veyor 12while fingers 42 were previously retracted are now free to descend downthe guide means 30 into loading cup 34. When a sufficient time haselapsed for cup 34 to become loaded to a desired degree, cam 40Cactuates switch 40B to energize solenoid 40A which in turn operatescylinder 40 to extend the fingers 44 to their blocking or operativeposition, thus preventing further leads from descending down the guidemeans 30. Simultaneously, cam 38C actuates switch 388 to energizesolenoid 38A which in turn operates cylinder 38 to retract the fingers42 to permit the leads 24 to once again be fed along conveyor 12 inpreparation for the next loading operation. When loading of cup 34 hasbeen completed, cam 62C actuates switch 62B to energize solenoid 62Awhich in turn operates cylinder 62 to move the loaded cup 34 laterallyinto the can 52 located at the loading station 58. Operation of cylinder62 also causes end plate 62 to move with cup 34. After the cup 34 andend plate 60 have been moved into the can 52, cylinder 62 retracts thecup 34; but cylinder 68 maintains the plate 60 in its position near theopen end of can 52. Thus, the plate 60 serves to maintain the leads 24within the can 52 as the cup 34 slides outwardly from beneath the leads,whereupon the leads are gently deposited into can 52. After the cup 34has been completely retracted, cam 68C actuates switch 688 to energizesolenoid 68A which in turn operates cylinder 68 to retract the plate 60until it is once again positioned adjacent the end of cup 34 remote fromthe cans 52. As soon as plate 60 has been completely retracted, cam 70Cactuates switch 70B to energize solenoid 70A, which in turn causespiston 70 to operate kicker 72, which engages the can 52 that has justbeen loaded and ejects same onto conveyor 74, the conveyor 74 carryingthe filled can until it reaches the end of conveyor 74 and abuts roller84, whereupon the filled can is caused to rotate about its own axis,pending removal for the next operation. At the same time, another emptycan descends into loading station 58, and the entire operation is onceagain repeated.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 13, the apparatus which receives theloaded cans 52 in order to effect heating and drying of the leadscontalned therein will now be described. This apparatus basicallycomprises a'rotary furnace 88 which con sists of a pair of largecircular metal plates 90, each approximately 8 feet in diameter, whichmetal plates are mounted on a shaft 92, which shaft is driven by avariable speed motor 94 to impart relatively slow rotation to saidplates, approximately 93 minutes per revolution. Rotatably mounted onthe outside surfaces of each of the plates 90, and extending around theperipheral portion thereof, are a plurality of circular discs 96, eachof which has a plurality of spaced pins 98 extending outwardlytherefrom. The pins 98 are spaced from each other so as to providepockets for slidably receiving a plurality of the loaded cans 52, and,as shown in the drawings, each disc 96 is adapted to receive four cans52. The loaded cans 52 are slid into position on the discs 96 with theiropen ends 56 inwardly disposed, or abutting the discs 96, whereupon theleads within the cans 52 are completely enclosed.

As previously stated, the discs 96 are rotatably mounted on the platesand, more specifically, each pair of aligned discs is mounted on acommon shaft 100, as shown in FIG. 13, said shaft carrying a gear 102located intermediate the plates 90.

Through suitable gearing, and by means of chain 104 and motor 105, thegears 102 are driven to impart rotation to shaft 100 and hence to thediscs 96 carried thereby. The rate of rotation of shaft 100 and discs 96is substantially greater than that of the plates 90, and, specifically,the discs 96 are rotated at approximately 26 revolutions per minute. Forreasons hereinafter to be described, it is important to note that chain104 does not make engagement with a plurality of the gears 102; and,specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, there are always five gears 102 thatare not being driven.

Fixedly mounted on the stanchions 106 are a pair of circular housings108, each defining an annular heat chamber. The housings 108 areidentical, and each is constructed of any desired refractory material,and comprises a peripheral end wall 110, a concentric inner wall 112,and a sidewall consisting of a pair of removable panels 114. Theremovable panels 114 permit access to be had to any portion of theannular heating chamber for purposes of repair or the like.

At approximately the four o'clock position of the annular heatingchamber, two panels 114 are not provided, as shown in FIG. 11, thuscreating a load and unload station. It is important to note that theannular housing defined by the walls 110, 112 and 114 is fixedly mountedand does not rotate, although this annular housing does abut against theouter surface of the slowly rotating plate 90. Hence, the slowlyrotating plates 90 carry the cans loaded thereon slowly through theannular chamber defined by the housings 108, while at the same time thediscs 96 are rotating about their own axes at a substantially greaterrate. Any suitable heating means may be provided within the annularhousings 108, although we prefer to use calrod heaters comprising rods116 that extend circumferentially around the inner surface of the walls110, with the exception of the load and unload station shown in FIG. 11.in P16. 8, the wiring for the heating system is shown at 118 withterminals boxes shown at 120 and with vent means shown at 122 forexhausting the heated atmosphere from the heat chamber.

The gears 102 that are not engaged by chain 104 are those gears whichare in alignment with the discs 96 located at the load and unloadstation, thus facilitating the loading and unloading of the cans 52. itwill be understood that since plates 90 move so slowly, it is a simplematter to unload the cans 52 from each disc 96 as the discs descend intothe load and unload station, and at the same time to load cans ofunheated lead onto the plates 96 before the plates enter into theheating chamber. The continuous rotation of the leads due to therotation of the discs 96 further enhances the straightening of the leadsand at the same time results in complete drying of the leads, it beingunderstood that the perforations ,in the cans 52 also assist in insuringthat good circulation of heat is achieved of leads, means fortransferring said leads from said conveyor within the cans. The speed ofrotation of the plates 90 and of v the discs 96 may be varied, dependingupon the type and size lead being treated. it is also important to notethat the cans 52, when loaded, are not completely filled with leads,since the leads must be free to rotate within the cans as the cansrotate during various stages of the aforesaid operation. It also will beunderstood that although the furnace assembly 88 has been shown anddescribed as comprising a pair of plates 90 and annular heat chambers108, this is purely to increase capacity of the unit; and obviously ourinvention is equally applicable to a single unit or additional multipleunits.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those meaps to acylindrical loading cup, means for moving said loading cup into acylindrical heatmg can and for retracting it therefrom, means formaintaining said leads in said can during retraction of said cuptherefrom, means for ejecting said loaded can onto second conveyormeans, means cooperating with said second conveyor means for causingloaded cans positioned thereon to rotate around their own axes, and arotary furnace for receiving said loaded cans from said second conveyormeans, said furnace comprising a rotor, a plurality of discs rotatablymounted on said rotor adjacent the periphery thereof, said discs eachhaving means for receiving a plurality of said loaded cans, drive meanssimultaneously causing rotation of said rotor about its axis and saiddiscs about their axes, the rate of rotation of said discs beingsubstantially greater than that of said rotor, and an annular heatingchamber enclosing the peripheral portion of said rotor whereby as saidrotor rotates, the loaded cans carried thereby pass slowly through saidheating chamber while said discs continuously rotate about their ownaxes, the axes of said leads, said discs and said rotor all beingsubstantially parallel to each other.

2. in the apparatus of claim 1, means cooperating with said firstconveyor means for straightening the leads thereon and orienting theleads into a single layer, said means also causing the leads to rotateabout their own axes as they move along said first conveyor means.

3. in the apparatus of claim 1, said transferring means comprisinginclined guides that receive the leads from said first conveyor meansand cause the leads to roll by gravity into said loading cup.

4. in the apparatus of claim 3, stop means cooperating with said firstconveyor means, said stop means being movable between an inoperativeposition and an operable position blocking passage of the leads to saidguides, and actuating means moving said stop means to said operableposition when said loading cup is filled to a predetermined degree.

5. In the apparatus of claim 1, said heating cans each comprising ametallic cylinder, open at one end, the circumferential wall of saidcylinder having a plurality of perforations therein.

6. in the apparatus of claim 5, the means on said discs for receivingsaid cans comprising a plurality of pins extending outwardly from eachdisc, said pins being spaced so as to slidably receive the canstherebetween.

7. In the apparatus of claim 1, said second conveyor means comprising anendless belt, said cooperating means comprising a roller mounted aboveand adjacent to said belt, said roller blocking further movement of thecans along said belt whereby the continuous movement of the beltcooperates with said roller to cause said blocked cans to rotate abouttheir own axes.

8. In the apparatus of claim 1, said annular heating chamber having aloading and unloading station, said drive means being disconnected fromthe discs located at said station.

1. Apparatus for handling and drying pencil leads comprising firstconveyor means for continuously receiving a plurality of leads, meansfor transferring said leads from said conveyor means to a cylindricalloading cup, means for moving said loading cup into a cylindricalheating can and for retracting it therefrom, means for maintaining saidleads in said can during retraction of said cup therefrom, means forejecting said loaded can onto second conveyor means, means cooperatingwith said second conveyor means for causing loaded cans positionedthereon to rotate around their own axes, and a rotary furnace forreceiving said loaded cans from said second conveyor means, said furnacecomprising a rotor, a plurality of discs rotatably mounted on said rotoradjacent the periphery thereof, said discs each having means forreceiving a plurality of said loaded cans, drive means simultaneouslycausing rotation of said rotor about its axis and said discs about theiraxes, the rate of rotation of said discs being substantially greaterthan that of said rotor, and an annular heating chamber enclosing theperipheral portion of said rotor whereby as said rotor rotates, theloaded cans carried thereby pass slowly through said heating chamberwhile said discs continuously rotate about their own axes, the axes ofsaid leads, said discs and said rotor all being substantially parallelto each other.
 2. In the apparatus of claim 1, means cooperating withsaid first conveyor means for straightening the leads thereon andorienting the leads into a single layer, said means also causing theleads to rotate about their own axes as they move along said firstconveyor means.
 3. In the apparatus of claim 1, said transferring meanscomprising inclined guides that receive the leads from said firstconveyor means and cause the leads to roll by graviTy into said loadingcup.
 4. In the apparatus of claim 3, stop means cooperating with saidfirst conveyor means, said stop means being movable between aninoperative position and an operable position blocking passage of theleads to said guides, and actuating means moving said stop means to saidoperable position when said loading cup is filled to a predetermineddegree.
 5. In the apparatus of claim 1, said heating cans eachcomprising a metallic cylinder, open at one end, the circumferentialwall of said cylinder having a plurality of perforations therein.
 6. Inthe apparatus of claim 5, the means on said discs for receiving saidcans comprising a plurality of pins extending outwardly from each disc,said pins being spaced so as to slidably receive the cans therebetween.7. In the apparatus of claim 1, said second conveyor means comprising anendless belt, said cooperating means comprising a roller mounted aboveand adjacent to said belt, said roller blocking further movement of thecans along said belt whereby the continuous movement of the beltcooperates with said roller to cause said blocked cans to rotate abouttheir own axes.
 8. In the apparatus of claim 1, said annular heatingchamber having a loading and unloading station, said drive means beingdisconnected from the discs located at said station.